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Five in row for BoSox

The Lowell Sun

Updated:
04/18/2013 07:12:20 AM EDT

CLEVELAND (AP) -- Their minds more at ease after two harrowing days, the Red Sox won again.

Converted closer Alfredo Aceves coasted through five innings, Mike Napoli and Daniel Nava drove in two runs apiece and the Red Sox, bonded by the tragedy in Boston, struck quickly against Justin Masterson and beat the Cleveland Indians, 6-3, on Wednesday night for their fifth straight win.

After Boston's bullpen closed the game with four perfect innings, there was music again in the clubhouse and players gobbled down their postgame meals while watching NBA and MLB games on TVs. Finally, the horrific images aren't everywhere.

And in the middle of the room, the "617 Boston Strong" jersey hung for all to see.

"A good all-around game," manager John Farrell said. "A very good game."

Aceves (1-0), who began the season as a reliever after serving as Boston's primary closer in 2012, took a shutout into the sixth before giving up three runs. Andrew Bailey, filling in for injured closer Joel Hanrahan, worked the ninth for his first save.

Napoli had an RBI single in the first when the Red Sox scored three off Masterson (3-1), who has already beaten two Cy Young Award winners this season and came in without allowing a run in 19 straight innings.

Nick Swisher and Jason Giambi homered for the Indians, who dropped their third in a row.

The Red Sox hung the gray "617" jersey in their dugout, just as they did for Tuesday's emotional series opener -- one day after the deadly marathon bombings back home.

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The jersey, featuring Boston's area code, has become a symbol of unity for the club, which will be back at Fenway Park on Friday to open a 10-game homestand.

Shane Victorino, Jacoby Ellsbury and Mike Carp had three hits apiece as the Red Sox built Aceves a 5-0 lead.

Boston's bullpen did its job, retiring all 12 Cleveland batters in a row with eight strikeouts. Junichi Tazawa struck out four in two innings, Koji Uehara worked a perfect eighth and Bailey had a 1-2-3 ninth.

"The two innings by Taz were probably the difference in the ballgame," said Farrell, who couldn't have asked for more from his relievers. "Good stuff, a lot of strikes."

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